The Ashes: England unable to keep Australia on the canvas throughout series

Updated
Sat 4 Jan 2014, 8:28 AM AEDT

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England's inability to finish off sides cost the tourists again, as a Steve Smith century wrested the momentum back for Australia at the SCG.

Getty Images: Cameron Spencer

As has been their problem all series, with Australia on the canvas and the count creeping towards 10, England failed to keep them there.

For the fourth time this summer Australia suffered a first-innings collapse and was ripe for the taking, this time five wickets down with just 97 runs on the board.

It was a bright start from an opponent seeking to avoid a humiliating 5-0 whitewash.

But what followed had a very familiar feel as Australia, through Brad Haddin's counter-attacking 75 and Steve Smith's outstanding 115, wrested control back - and England meekly allowed it, as the hosts were all out for 325.

The sole shining light was impressive young all-rounder Ben Stokes (6 for 99), who claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul and was on a hat-trick late in the day.

Stokes conceded England had allowed Australia to score roughly 60 runs more than the visitors would have liked, but took exception to the suggestion England had experienced Groundhog Day by once again being in a commanding position.

But it is a hard charge to deny.

With Australia in a precarious position, England reverted to shorter-pitched bowling and Haddin took his chance.

"When a guy's playing like that against you, you have to hold your hand up to a bloke in that really good form," Stokes said.

Debutant Scott Borthwick finished day one with a wicket to his name, but was also central to letting the innings slip away from England.

In an opening spell reminiscent of Simon Kerrigan's expensive five-over offering at the Oval in August, Borthwick went for 21 runs from 18 balls.

He returned to take the wicket of Mitchell Johnson, but not before Steve Smith had treated him with disdain - slamming him for a four and a six to race through the 90s and bring up his century.

The 23-year-old finished with figures of 1 for 49 off seven overs, at a cost of seven runs per over.

"He can be quite expensive sometimes but he can get you three or four quick wickets," Stokes said to defend his Durham teammate.